Feelable footage indicator for motion picture apparatus



Jan. 7 1936. o. wrrTEL 2,027,007

FEELABLE FOOTAGE INDICATOR FOR MOTION PICTURE APPARATUS Filed oct. '7, 195s 2 sheets-sheep 1 Jan. 7, 1936.

Filed Oct. 7, 1933 O. WlTTEL FEELABLE FOOTAGE INDICATOR FOR MOTION PICTURE APPARATUS 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Jan. 7, 1936 PATENT OFFICE FEELABLE FOOTAGE-INDICATOR FOR MOTION PICTURE-APPARATUS om witten, menester,

N. Y., assignor to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application October 7,

16 Claims.

The present invention relates to a footage indicator for a film handling apparatus and more particularly to a feelable indicator for a motion picture apparatus.

Various types of footage indicators are known to the prio; art and such indicators may be classified either as visual or audible. The footage indicator of the present invention aects still an' other of the human senses, namely the sense of feeling.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of a film footage indicator which is actuated by the driving means of the apparatus and which is adapted to create a feelable sensation. Another object of 'the present invention is the provision of'a film footage indicator which is periodically pulsated by the driving means of an apparatus and which is available to affect the operators sense of touch. -A further object of the invention is the provision of a film footage indicator for a motion picture camera and which comprises' a feelable member movably mounted on the camera and available to the touch of the operator and which is periodically moved by a ing mea'ns, said protuberanc'e being adapted directly or indirectly to actuate said feelablemember.

The above and other objects of the invention are embodied in an indicator which comprises a feelable member movably mounted on the apparatus and available to the touch of the operator during normal operation of the apparatus and/or a means on a rotating member of the drive for the apparatus adapted periodically to engage the feelable member and pulsate the same in timed relation to the rate of iilm advancement through the apparatus. An anti-friction means may be provided'for transmitting the impulses of the protuberance to the feelable member.

Reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings in which similar reference numerals designate similar elements and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a motion picture cam. era equipped with one form of feelable indicator according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section through the camera of Fig. 1 and taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross-section of a modined and preferred form of the feelable indicator.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross-section of asimpl'iiication of the preferred form of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross-section of the 55 simplest form of the'invention.

protuberance on a rotatable member of the driv- 1933, Serial No. 692,667

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross-section of still another modication of the invention.

Fig. 'l is a fragmentary cross-section taken on the line 1-1 of Fig.'6. y

Although the present `inventionl is disclosed 5 and illustrated with respect to a motion picture camera, it is understood that the invention may be applied with equal'success to any type of nlm handling apparatus.

Any ofthe illustrated embodiments ofthe invention may be employed on a motion picture camera of the type shown and which includes a casing Il) carrying an objective Il. A flexible covering l2 is 'applied toI the exterior of casing I0 and is preferably real or imitation leather. The power drivefor the apparatus is the usual spring motor which includes a casing Il and a gear I4. The casing I3 of the-spring motoris positioned within the camera by means of a` plurality of rivets I5.

The potential energy which is stored in the spring motor is provided lby the operator and transmitted to the spring motor in the manner now to be described. Winding post I6 is rotatably mdunte'd in the mechanism plates Il and i8 within the camera and extends through the casing l0 and flexible cover i2 to the exterior of the camera. 'I'he protruding end of the winding post I6 is formed into a square nut I9 and a plate 20 is rotatably mounted with respect thereto. The plate has a pair of ears 2| which pivotally support a pintle 22. A handle 2l is pivoted on pintle 22 and is provided with a square aperture 2l adapted to engage the square nut .i9 in winding position of handle 23. -When the handle is not in use it is swung into a position alongside of casing I0 with the knob 25 of handle 23 extendfing into a recess 26 .provided in casing l0. A pinion gear 21 is mounted upon winding post it and is fastened to said postpin I6 by a pin 21'.

A spindle 28- is supported between mechanism plate Il and,4 a mechanism' plate 2l. A gear member is rotatably mounted on spindle 28 and includes a pinion gear 3 0 which meshes with pinion gear 2l and asleeve 3|. which ls adapted to rotateupon spindle 28. The pinion gear 30 also meshes with the gear I4 of the spring motor, so that upon rotation of `the winding post I B by rotation of the handle '23 potential energy is stored in the spring motor.

A second gear member is rotatably mounted on spindle 28 and comprises a large pinion 32 and a sleeve 33. A coil spring-34, preferably of rectana gular cross-section, encircles'sleeves tl and Il for a purpose to be later described. A driving 55 member includes a shaft 35 which is rotatably supported between mechanism plates I8 and 29, includes a pinion 36 which meshes with the large pinion 32, and includes a toothed disk 31 which is adapted to engage the lilm handling apparatus or film advancing mechanism.

The coil spring 34 functions in a known manner as a one-way clutch. During winding of the spring mot-or and rotation of the pinion gear 30, the coil spring 34 slides upon the sleeve 3| so that the large pinion 32 is not rotated during winding of the spring motor. However, when the spring motor is driving the apparatus, the pinion gear 30 then rotates in the opposite direction and coil spring 34 binds upon the periphery of sleeves 3I and 33 so that large pinion 32, pinion 3B and the toothed disk 31 are rotated to drive the apparatus. v

The winding mechanism for the spring motor .and the driving means for the film handling apparatus are of conventional design and constitute per se no part of the present invention. This construction has been discussed and described for the' purpose of providing 9, setting or background for the invention and in order to demonstrate the cooperation of thefeelable indicator with a rotatable member of the driving means.

The feelable member of the invention may be composed of a button 38 which is attached to the flexible covering I2 and which extends through openings in the casing I0 and mechanism plate I8 to'the interior of the -camera. Obviously the feelable member or button 38 is available vto the touch of the operator during normal operation of the camera. The pinion gear 30 is provided with an annular recess 38 and a protuberance, such as rivet 40, is located on pinion gear 30 within annular recess 39. Upon operation of the camera the pinion gear 30 rotates and the protuberance or rivet 40 engages the end of button 38 periodically to pulsate the same. Since each rotation of the pinion gear 30 bears a deiinite timed relation to the rate of film advancementI throughthe apparatus, each impulse imparted by the protuberance tothe feelable member also bears a definitely timed relation to such rate of lm advancement. Consequently, if the finger of the operator is held on the feelable member, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure l, the impulses received from the protuberance on the rotatable member of the driving means, such as rivet 40. on pinion gear 30, will be felt by the operator. In actual practice, the timing of the driving means is such that pinion gear 30 rotates twice for each foot of film advancement, therefore, each pulsation of the feelable member indicates that a half a foot has passed through the apparatus.

It is conceivable that the operator may press so hard upon the button 38 as to bear against pinion gear 30 or rivet 40 and stop the apparatus. Therefore, it is preferred to insert an anti-friction means between the rotatable member of the driving means and the feelable member, Such an anti-friction means may comprise a ball bearing 4I, see Fig. 3, which is loosely supported within an opening 42 provided in mechanism plate I8. In this modification the button 43 is slidably`m0unted in a bushing 44 and is provided with a recess 45 for better engagement with the ball bearing 4I. The annular recess 39 may form a ball race for ball bearing 4I to assist in retaining it in position between the rivet 40 and button 43.

It may be observed that pinion gear 30 will be 'terior in the vicinity of the feelable indicator.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, the ball bearing 4I is loosely supported by a bushing 46 which is at- 10 l tached to mechanism plate I8. The camera casing I0 is provided with a counter-sunk hole 41 which is completely covered by the flexible covering I2. The pressure exerted by the finger of the operator will depress that portion of fiexible 15 covering I2 which is over counter-sunk hole 41 in the manner indicated by the dotted lines in Fig.

4. The impulses imparted to ball bearing 4l are now available to the touch of the operator through the covering I2 and the exterior of the 20 camera is smooth and Without any protruding parts.

The simplest form of the invention is the eccentric location of the feelable member on a rotating member which extends to the exterior of the 25 camera, in several of the commercial types of motion picture cameras. Such a rotating member is exemplified by the disc 48 of Fig. 5. The sleeve 3 I which supports pinion gear 30 extends through mechanism plate I8, casing I0 and covering I2. 30 The disc 48 is fastened to the end of sleeve 3I' by a bolt 49 and the feelable member is eccentrically located on this exposed rotating mem- `3I", and which is urged outwardly by a spring 53. A pin 54 on sleeve 3I-' extends into a slot 55 45 provided in pin 5I to form a pin and slot connection for limiting the movement of pin 5I. A circular groove 56 is provided in casing I 0 and in the path of pin 5 I A l'iole 51 is'provided in casing I0 and in groove 56 while a corresponding open- 50 ing 58 may be provided in the flexible covering I2. The groove 56 slopes or tapers toward hole 51 so that pin 5I may be available to the touch of the operator through hole 51 and opening 58 but be carried back into bore 52 upon further rota- 55 tion of sleeve 3|" to carry vpin 5I past hole 51.

The several modiiications that have been illustrated indicate the susceptibility of the invention to adaptation and alteration. Consequently, the Various forms of the invention here disclosed 60 are to be considered as illustrative, the appended claims defining the scope of the invention.

What I claim as my invention and desire to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. In a iilm handling apparatus, the combina- G5 tion with a driving means for advancing lm through said apparatus at any desired rate, of a feelable member actuated by said driving means and located normally to be available to the sense of feeling of the operator. 70

2. In a iilm handling apparatus, the combination with a driving means for advancing film through said apparatus at a predetermined rate and including a rotatable member, of afeelable member moved by the rotatable member of said 75 driving means arranged to be accessible to the sense o! feeling of the operator during normal operation of said apparatus, and moved by said rotatable member at a rate corresponding to the 5 rate of tllm advancement.

3. In a. nlm handling apparatus, the combination with a driving means for advancing illm through said apparatus at a predetermined rate. oi a ieelable member puisated by said driving l means in timed relation to the rate o! illm advancement and positioned i'or imparting sensations to the sense oi feeling oi the operator.

4. In a nlm handling apparatus, the combination with a casing i'or said apparatus, and a drivl ing means for advancing iilm through said casing, o! a ieelable member movably mounted with respect to said casing in a position available to the touch ot the ,operator during normal operation of the apparatus and actuated by said driving means periodically to aiiect the operators senseotieelingintimedrelationtotherateot iiim advancement.

5. In a film handling apparatus, the combination with a casing for said apparatus, and a driving means for advancing illm through said casing and including a rotatable member, of a protuberance ecoentrically located on said rotatable member' and positioned for periodically imparting a feelable sensation to the operator. 6. In a motion picture apparatus, theV combination with a casing for said apparatus, and a driving means for advancing iilm through said apparatus and including a rotatable member, of a ieelable member movably mounted with respect to said casing and extending to the exterior of said casing, and a protuberance on said rotatable member for imparting an impulse to said feelable member upon each notation of said rotatable member. 7. In a motion picture apparatus. the combination with a casing for said apparatus, and a driving means Ior advancing film through said apparatus and including a rotatable member, of

a feelable member movably mounted with respect to said casing in a pomtion available to the touch of the operator during normal operation of the apparatus. a protuberance on said rotatable member, and a means movably mounted and arranged for movement by said protuberance and for movement of said feelable member.

8. In a motion picture apparatus, the combination with a casing for said apparatus, and a driving means for advancing illm through said apparatus and including a rotatable member, oi' a feelable member movably mounted with respect to said casing in aposition available to the touch of the operator during normal operation oi the apparatus, a protuberance on said rotatable member, and an anti-friction means movably 50 mounted between said rotatable member and said feelable member and arranged for movement by said protuberance and for movement of said feeiable member.

9. In a motion picture apparatus, the combi- 65 nation with a casing for' said apparatus, a

mechanism 'plate within said casing and pmvided with an opening, and a driving means for advancing iilm through said apparatus and including a rotatable member, of a feelable mem- 70 ber movably mounted with respect to said casing and in a position available to the touch of the operator during normalV operation of the apparatus, a protuberance on said rotatable member, and an anti-friction means loosely supported 7s within the opening o! said mechanism plate and arranged for movement by said protuberance and for movement oi said feelable member.

10. In a motion picture apparatus, the combination with a easing for said apparatus, a mechanism plate within said casing and pro- 5 vided with an opening, and a driving means for advancing hlm through said apparatus and including a rotatable member, of a ieelable member movably mounted with respect to said casing and in a position available to the touch of the oper- 10 ator during normal operation of the apparatus,

a protuberance on said rotatable member. and a bail bearing loosely supported within the opening of said mechanism plate and arranged ior movement by vsaid protuberance and for move- 15 ment oi said ieelable member.

l1. In a motion picture apparatus, the combination with a casing for said apparatus, a mechanism plate within said casing and provided with an opening, and a driving means for 20 advancing film through said apparatus and including a rotatable member, which is provided with an annular groove, of a button slidably mounted on said casing and extending to the exterior thereof, a protuberance within said 25 groove on said rotatable member, and a ball bearing loosely supported within the opening oi said mechanism plate and within the groove of said rotatable member and for engaging both` said button and said protuberance and arranged for 30 movement by said protuberance and for movement o! said button.

12. In a motion picture apparatus, the combination with a casing for said apparatus, and a driving means for advancing Viilm through said 35 apparatus and including a rotatable member which is provided with a groove, oi a feelable member movably mounted with respect to said casing and in a position available to the touch oi the operator during normal operation of the apparatus, and a protuberance on said rotatable member within said groove and for actuating said feelable' member to pulsate the same in timed relation to the rate oi.' hlm advancement.

13. In a motion picture apparatus, the combi- 45 nation with a casing for said apparatus, and a driving means for advancing iilm through said apparatus and including a rotatable member which is provided ywith a groove, of` a i'eelable member movably mounted with respect to said 50 casing and in a position available to the touch of the operator during normal operation of the apparatus, a protuberance on said rotatable member within said groove, and a ball bearing movably mounted between said rotatable member and said ieelable member and adapted partially to enter the groove of said rotatable member for guidance thereby and for contact with said protuberance.

14. In a motion picture apparatus, the combination with a casing for said apparatus and which is provided with an aperture, a protective covering of flexible material for said casing, and a driving means for advancing iilm through said apparatus and including a rotatable member, of a feelable member supported by said covering within said aperture, and a protuberance on said rotatable member and for actuating said ieelable member to pulsate the same in timed relation to the rate of film advancement.

15. In a motion picture apparatus, the combination with a casing for said apparatus and which is provided with an aperture, a protective covering of flexible material for said casing, and a driving-means for advancing nlm through said apparatus and including a rotatable member, of a feelable member supported by said covering within said aperture, and extending to the exterior of the apparatus, and a protuberance on said rotatable member and for directly and periodically engaging said feelable member to pulsate the same in timed relation to the rate of lm advancement.

16. In a 111m handling apparatus, the combination with casing for said apparatus and which is provided with an aperture, a protective covering of flexible material for said casing and extending over said aperture, and a driving means for advancing lm through said apparatus and including a rotatable member, of a ieelable member adjacent the aperture in said casing and available to the touch oi' the operator through said covering, and a protuberance on said rotatable member and for periodically engaging said ilexible member to pulsate the same in timed relation to the rate oi 111m advancement.

OTTO WITTEL. 

